Key holder



Dec. 9, 195a P. E. GROULX 2,863,312

KEY HOLDER Filed Oct. 24, 1955 fir oriye z/ KEY HOLDER A Paul Emile Groulx, Hull, Quebec, Canada Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,306 4 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) This invention relates to new in key holders.

Broadly the invention comprises a slotted cylindrical member within which are disposed a plurality of keys, a sleeve over said member, means of selecting a key and resilient means of ejecting the selected key through a slot formed in the sleeve.

Several types of key holders are presently used, the most common being in the form of a leather folder formed with a plurality of hooks to which the keys are detachably secured. Another type frequently used con sists of a chain looped through a set of keys and an ornament of some sort to which both extremities of the chain are removably secured.

The main disadvantage with the common present type key holders is that the keys are frequently tangled together and require a fair amount of manipulation to untangle.

Another noted disadvantage is that it is difiicult if not impossible to identify the keys in the dark without he assistance of a source of light be it from a pocket light or a match, etc.

With the present invention the above disadvantages are overcome and other important advantages are gained.

In addition to the above briefly outlined features of the present invention the key holder herein dsscribed is new and novel and since it is formed with a pocket clip, it is easy to reach, even when wearing heavy winter clothing since it is generally worn in the breast pocket of a suit coat.

The main object of the invention is therefore the provision of a new and novel key holder, by means of which it is possible to identify and extract therefrom any one key at a time.

Another important object is the provision of a resilient means, in the form of a leaf spring, to springingly urge the selected key out of the holder.

Still another very important object is the provision, in combination with a key holder of a pocket clip which permits the wearing of the holder in the breast pocket of a garment which is always within easy reach regardless of the amount of clothes worn by the user.

Other apparent objects are the provisions of a new and novel key holder which is strong and durable, depend able, efficient and of comparatively low manufacturing cost.

With these and other objects in view that may appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel arrangement of co-operating elements as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of a key holder constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the slotted cylindrical body of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an end view of Figure 2.

and useful improvements nited States Patent Fig. 4 is a plan view of the slotted body, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slotted sleeve and pocket clip which slidably engages the body portion of the device.

Referring more in detail to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, it will be seen the invention comprises an elongated body member 10 circular in cross section formed with a plurality of slots 11 each slot having an open end 12 and a closed end 13.

A ridge 14 of larger diameter integrally formed with said member has a twofold purpose. Primarily it acts as a stopper for a sleeve which will hereinafter be more specifically set forth and also marks the end] of the open portion of the slots 11. Secondly the said ridge is constructed with a plurality of coloured dots 15 which are used in conjunction with a pointer to select one key from the holder.

The open end extremity 12 of the body member is curved upwardly as indicated at 16 and is formed with an aperture 17 therethrough through which a sex bolt 17:: releasably secures the keys 18 in position, each key in its respective slot. Since the aperture 17 is disposed above the center line of the body member 10, each key disposed therein will seat itself well within the confines of the said member and will not hinder in any way, regardless of itsshape, the operation of the sleeve 19 which will hereinafter be specifically set forth.

At close proximity of the closed end of the body member 10 a groove 20 is formed in the walls of the said member.

The sleeve 19 is opened at one extremity and closed at the other. The closed end is conically shaped to add to the appearance of the device. The said sleeve 19 is formed with a pocket clip 21 which has a twofold purpose. One of its purposes is the expected one, that is to securely hold the device in the breast pocket of a suit coat, and secondly the pointed end of the clip serves as a key selector when lined up with one of the coloured dots 15.

In the pocket clip band 22 a screw 23 formed with a spherically shaped extremity, extending well inside the sleeve, is located to register within said groove 20 when the sleeve is rotated in the selection of a key and to ride within a slot 11 when the sleeve is operated to release the selected key.

At the bottom of each slot 11 is disposed a leaf spring 24 which is held in position by means of pins 25.

In operation, when a key is inserted in the holder and secured thereto by means of the sex bolt 17a, the leaf spring 24 will constantly urge the key out of its slot 11 while the sleeve 19 will prevent the key from being ejected therefrom. When it is desired to use a key, the selector 21 is set at the desired coloured dot and the sleeve pulled back until the screw 23 engages the rear wall of the cylindrical member 10. The key, through the action of the spring 24, will be forcibly ejected from its slot through an opening 26 formed at the open extremity of said sleeve. Since the rear extremity of the sleeve adjacent the opening overlaps the end of the key, in normal closed position, it is only when the sleeve is well pulled back that the key will be ejected from its slot and since the opening is only slightly wider than a slot 11 only one key at a time will be ejected. To return the key to its original reinstate the key within ward.

It is believed that the construction and advantages of the invention have been fully set forth and that further detailed description is not required.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has its slot and push the sleeve forposition it is only necessary to been disclosed, it is understood that minor modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A key holder comprising an elongated body .memher having an open end and a closed end, said open end being offset from said closed end, a series of slots in said member to receive keys therein, and means for pivotally mounting said keys in said slots, a ridge formed on said member and disposed at close proximity to the open end thereof, a sleeve having an open end and a closed end slidably and rotatably mounted over the closed end of said member whereby the open end will abut said ridge, means on said sleeve engageable with said member for retaining the sleeve thereon, an opening in said sleeve adapted to be placed in registration with one of said slots, means associated with said slots and engageable with said keys to forcibly eject a key from said holder upon sliding movement of said sleeve, and means on said sleeve adapted to coaet with means on said ridge to select a key to be ejected.

2. In a device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means on said sleeve engageable with said member comprises a clip band formed on said sleeve and a screw on said clip band extending within said sleeve and into a groove in said member whereby said sleeve may be slidably moved and rotated to permit of a key being forcibly ejected from said holder. I

3. In a device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means on said ridge comprise a plurality of colored dots and the means on said sleeve comprises a pocket clip having a pointed end whereby upon rotation of said sleeve said pointed clip end will be aligned with one of said dots to designate the key to be ejected from said holder.

4. In a. device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means associated with said slots and engageable with said keys comprises a leaf spring secured in each of said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,123 Murdrich Sept. 8, 1942 2,300,979 Simpkins Novf3, 1942 2,411,168 Seely Nov. 19, 1946 2,560,595 Poncar July 17, 1951 2,634,600 Seely Apr. 14, 1953 

